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After a long winter, the body requires a shock dose of vitamins and light food. Cucumbers are the vegetable that will come to everyone's aid. The harvest can be obtained in record time when growing crops in a polycarbonate greenhouse.
Recently, many have given their preference to greenhouses made of modern polymer material. Cellular polycarbonate is durable, easy to install, retains heat well, transmits light, but dissipates harmful ultraviolet radiation. A polycarbonate greenhouse creates favorable conditions for plants. With such a greenhouse, getting early cucumbers becomes a reality.
Growers need to provide temperature, humidity and nutrients for cucumbers to develop and bear fruit. Lack of nutrition in the soil can lead to various negative consequences: falling of the ovaries, changes in the taste and appearance of cucumbers, yellowing of the leaves and death of the plant.
Preparatory work in the greenhouse
In order not to push plants to extremes, regular scheduled fertilizing, watering and maintaining the temperature regime in the greenhouse are required.For full development, cucumbers need vital nutrients: without nitrogen leaves and shoots will not develop, without phosphorus and potassium there will be no fruit.
The basis for feeding cucumbers can be laid in the fall when preparing the soil in a polycarbonate greenhouse. After the harvest is harvested, all remains of plants and fruits are removed and disposed of in the greenhouse; the best option is burning. This way, you will have excellent fertilizer for the next season. Ash is perfectly stored in a tightly sealed dry container. Bacteria and fungi, which are pathogens, usually overwinter in plant debris. Be sure to get rid of the potential threat.
It is very possible to disinfect the inside of a greenhouse using a sulfur smoke bomb. Then prepare the soil for the next season. Dig together with manure, peat or humus.
Spring soil preparation for cucumbers includes digging up and adding shortly before planting (about 10 days) a composition of: superphosphate, potassium salt, ammonium nitrate, potassium sulfate. Take 25 g of each fertilizer respectively for each square. m of greenhouse soil. Cucumbers do not require fertilizer directly upon planting.
Fertilizers for cucumbers
During the growing season, cucumbers require 3, sometimes 4 fertilizing with organic matter or mineral fertilizers every 15 days. Watch a video about feeding cucumbers:
First feeding
After the cucumber seedlings are planted in the greenhouse, they are given time (10-15 days) to adapt. And only after this the first fertilizing of the cucumbers in the greenhouse is carried out. For active growth and accumulation of green mass, plants require nitrogen. Therefore, at the initial stage, gardeners actively feed cucumbers with organic matter.Aqueous solutions are suitable for feeding cucumbers: from pet manure, bird droppings, “herbal tea”, ash, yeast.
Recommended dosages for preparing solutions based on slurry: 1 part infusion to 10 parts water; based on bird droppings: 1/15; herbal tea is diluted 1-2/10. An ash solution for feeding cucumbers is prepared in different ways. Add a glass of ash to a bucket of water and mix well. The solution is ready and you can water the cucumbers with it.
You can make an ash extract: pour half a glass of ash with hot water (1 liter), stir thoroughly, place on the stove, bring to a boil and boil for 15-30 minutes. Leave the concentrate for 5 hours, then bring it to readiness by adding a bucket of water (usually 10 liters). You can water the cucumbers. But it is much more effective to use ash extract for foliar spraying of cucumbers in the greenhouse. Spraying “on the leaf” works in the shortest possible time. What is especially important if you see the first signs nitrogen deficiency: depressed appearance of cucumbers, yellowing of leaf blades, stunted growth.
Feeding cucumbers in a greenhouse with baker's yeast is also practiced among amateur gardeners. Buy regular yeast (live in packets or dry granular). Dilute the water in a bucket, adding a little sugar, let the solution stand for 2 hours so that the yeast begins its activity. Yeast acts on cucumbers as a kind of growth stimulant. It was noticed that plants after yeast feeding become more viable and accelerate in growth.
Those who do not have the opportunity to use organic matter to feed cucumbers in a greenhouse successfully use mineral fertilizers. Several options for the first feeding of cucumbers using mineral fertilizers:
- Ammonium nitrate, potassium sulfate, 15 g each, respectively, superphosphate - 40 g or double superphosphate - 20 g. The mineral mixture for feeding cucumbers is diluted in 10 liters of water;
- Ammofoska (30 g) applied per 1 sq. m of soil. In the composition of ammophoska, nitrogen is in last place (12%), however, this fertilizer should not be excluded from the list for feeding cucumbers at the first stage, since the fertilizer has a complex but balanced composition. Plants will receive comprehensive nutrition. In addition to nitrogen, ammophosphate contains phosphorus and potassium, which are the main nutrients for cucumbers in a greenhouse, and sulfur, an element that promotes the absorption of nitrogen. Fertilizer can be used as an independent fertilizer for cucumbers, or in combination with other types of fertilizers;
- Azofoska is a complex fertilizer, consisting of 3 components: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In terms of percentage, nitrogen comes first. For different manufacturers, figures may differ from 16-27%. It is recommended to apply 30-45 g in the form of granules, placing it per 1 square meter. m of soil, in the form of an aqueous solution of 20-30 g/bucket of water;
- Add urea (1 tbsp), superphosphate (60 g) to 10 liters of water, pour the solution over the cucumbers;
- Ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, potassium salt. Take 10 g of each fertilizer for feeding cucumbers, place in a 10-liter bucket of water and stir.
When carrying out the first feeding, plants should receive nutrients for the growth of leaves, stems and shoots.
Second feeding
The second feeding of greenhouse cucumbers is carried out when the plants have bloomed to maximize the number of ovaries formed.If at this stage the cucumbers do not have enough potassium, then flowering may stop and the resulting ovaries will fall off.
- Measure out 20 g of potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate and superphosphate (30 and 40 g respectively). Mix everything in a 10-liter bucket of water, use it to feed cucumbers in a greenhouse;
- A solution of potassium nitrate (25 g/bucket of water) can be used for foliar spraying of cucumbers; the solution acts faster through the leaves. The solution is used for routine feeding, and its use is especially indicated when the first signs of potassium deficiency are noticed: falling of the ovaries, inactive flowering and yellowing of the leaves at the edges;
- Calimagenzia can be used to feed cucumbers in a greenhouse. The fertilizer contains only 1% chlorine, but a very high potassium content - 30%. To fertilize 1 sq. m of planting, take 35 g of potassium magnesia.
Third feeding
The third time, cucumbers need to be fed during the period of mass fruiting, when all the forces of the plant are directed towards the harvest. At this time it is required feeding cucumbers in a greenhouse made of polycarbonate with fertilizers containing phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen with sulfur. Sulfur is necessary because when it is present, nitrogen is absorbed as efficiently as possible. Phosphorus is necessary when the ripening of cucumbers in a greenhouse is slow and if the fruits grow distorted and tasteless.
To correct the situation, use the following composition for feeding: ash (150 g), potassium nitrate (30 g), urea (50 g). All together dissolves in 10 liters of water.
Ammophos is a fertilizer with a high phosphorus content that acts quickly.This allows gardeners to use fertilizer as planned and in cases where plants need immediate help. Regardless of how you apply ammophos: between rows (30-50 g per sq. m) or in dissolved form (20-30 g per 10 liters of water), the fertilizer is quickly absorbed by cucumbers. The crop bears fruit better, the taste of cucumbers improves, the fruits are even and without flaws.
Fourth feeding
The fourth feeding of cucumbers in the greenhouse should contain all the basic nutrients. It is carried out in order to prolong the growing season and fruiting of the crop. Cucumbers respond very well to the addition of an ash solution, feeding with “herbal tea” from nettles or soda solution (30 g per 10 liters of water).
You can use complex ready-made fertilizers for cucumbers in a greenhouse: “Kemira”, “Agricola”, “Pum”, “Kristalon” and others. Manufacturers provide dosage information for feeding cucumbers in a greenhouse.
Plants respond to leaf feeding with great effect under unfavorable climatic conditions.
Basics of agricultural technology for growing cucumbers in a greenhouse
Polycarbonate greenhouses can now be found in almost every summer cottage. Still, cultivating cucumbers in a greenhouse is a vital necessity in the Russian climate.
Caring for a polycarbonate greenhouse is somewhat different from caring for plants in open ground, as it requires compliance with watering conditions, temperature conditions and a feeding schedule for cucumbers.
Watering
Cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse require frequent watering, especially during the period of fruit ripening.Most often, gardeners water from a watering can or use hoses with nozzles. But it is much more effective to organize irrigation by sprinkling. To do this, hoses with holes through which water passes are stretched along the top of the greenhouse.
Each plant should spend at least 7-8 liters of water twice a week. In hot weather, watering in a polycarbonate greenhouse is done more often. It is very difficult to provide watering in the required volume with a watering can.
Temperature
When cultivating cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse, it is important to ensure the required temperature conditions:
- On sunny days +24+28 degrees;
- In the absence of sun +20+22 degrees;
- At night +16+18 degrees.
Only in such conditions will cucumbers be able to successfully grow and bear fruit, absorbing the nutrients that caring gardeners feed them.
Temperatures that are too high can be controlled by opening doors or windows in a polycarbonate greenhouse.
Do not allow sudden changes in the temperature of the greenhouse, which will also not benefit the plants, as it can cause disease, weakening, and poor taste in the fruit.
Cucumbers like humidity of 80-90%. In a polycarbonate greenhouse, the issue of humidity is resolved by spraying and frequent watering.
The soil temperature should not be higher than +22 +24 degrees. This can be achieved using mulch. Mulching soil is achieved and the fact that the soil in a polycarbonate greenhouse retains moisture well; beneficial organisms, worms, and beetles usually work under the mulch and loosen the soil. Soil looseness is very important for cucumbers, since oxygen flows through the pores to the roots of the crop. Mown grass, sawdust, and agrofibre are used as mulch.
Sprinkle the exposed roots with soil in a timely manner. This procedure promotes the formation of additional lateral roots.
Stem formation
A fruiting plant must have a certain structure, which begins to form with the appearance of 3-4 pairs of leaves. The side shoots that form in the first axils are plucked out along with the flowers. This way, the main stem will focus on further growth.
Next, count 3-4 internodes. The side shoots should be pinched off, leaving a couple of leaves and a few cucumbers.
In the next 3 internodes of the side shoots, leave 2 leaves and 2 ovaries, pinching the top. On the top shoots, also pinch out the growing point, leaving 3 leaves and 3 ovaries on each shoot.
The length of the main stem should not exceed 1.5 -2 m. The cucumber vine is attached to the trellis by tying it with twine. The twine is loosely tied over 2-3 sheets and attached to the trellis.
The role of a trellis is played by a wire that is stretched at a height of approximately 2 m across the entire greenhouse. Gradually, as the stem grows, wrap it around the prepared twine.
Harvesting
Regular harvesting in a polycarbonate greenhouse stimulates cucumbers for further fruit formation. If you do not pick cucumbers on time, they will overgrow and become unsuitable for food. Moreover, all the forces of the plant are directed towards the overgrown cucumber so that the seeds ripen in it. New fruits will not be formed.
By harvesting in a greenhouse once a day, you direct the plant’s forces to the formation of new ovaries and fruits. The plant will strive to leave its offspring in each new fruit.
Conclusion
There are no tips and recommendations that are the same for everyone, such that you can grow a fantastic harvest of cucumbers. The reason is that all gardeners have different types of soil and climatic conditions. However, work and careful attention to your plants in a polycarbonate greenhouse, as well as compliance with basic agrotechnical practices, timely actions to feed and correct the situation due to a lack of nutrients will bring you closer to a cucumber harvest that you will want to show off.
